Unsung Heroes In The Evacuation Of Malaysian Students

By Luqman Nul Hakim Mazlan

CAIRO, Feb 22 (Bernama) -- While the 'Ops Pyramid' has been hailed as a success in bringing home more than 8,000 Malaysian students from Egypt and boosted the image of the parties involved, there was a handful of unsung heroes who provided a helping hand as well.

These individuals felt that they too have a responsibility in helping fellow citizens trapped in a crisis ridden country.

It was a baptism of fire for these individuals too with many of them spending sleepless nights helping to organize the passage out from Cairo for the students.

Some recalled that they came face to face with vigilante groups and security personnel armed with AK-47 when they were on their rounds to help out.

ITS THE RESPONSIBILITY TO THE NATION

Former Perlis Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim who was one of the individuals involved told Bernama he came on his own to assist as he felt he has a role to play there.

Shahidan also praised Najib for his quick decision to evacuate Malaysian students from Egypt and calling various parties to help in ensuring the success of the 'Ops Pyramid'.

"It was a quick decision to evacuate and the operation had to be conducted within a very short time frame".

Admitting that it was tiring work, especially when he had just finished helping flood victims in Johor, Shahidan said he is always available for the nation in times of need.

"It is my way of showing gratitude to a nation that has helped me all this while, I'm a citizen who is thankful and count my blessings.

"I came on my own with four media representative from Malaysia, paid my own fare," he said.

Shahidan explained that he and the media team hardly slept for four nights as they helped out with the 'Ops Pyramid'.

A DRAMATIC MOMENT FOR TAHA

Mohd Taha Hassan, 30, the younger brother of former Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan, also came to Cairo to help.

Unlike Shahidan, for Mohd Taha it was quite a dramatic experience when he encountered armed Egyptian security personnel.

The incident happened while he was on his way with three members of the 1Malaysia Putra Club from the Cairo International Airport to deliver food to the Malaysian students taking refuge at the Abbasiah Malaysia Hall.

When they reached near Tahrir Square, were millions of Egyptians were rallying, they were stopped by about 20 security personnel armed with AK-47 rifles.

"We were taken to a military police station and questioned on our presence there. I vividly remember an AK-47 rifle being pointed at 1Malaysia Putera Club media unit head, Mohd Khairul Rizzuan Abu Hassan.

"I have never faced such situation, I was really worried, I had studied in Egypt for eight years and had never came across such situation.

"There were many security personnel, but thank god we were released without any harm," he added.

Despite the dramatic event, Mohd Taha has no regrets in helping 1Malaysia Putera Club to deliver food for Malaysian students.

Mohd Taha is proud of the fact that he was there to help fellow Malaysians when conditions were deteriorating in the land of the Pharaohs and the government was forced to evacuate Malaysians under 'Ops Pyramid'.

MALAYSIA'S AMBASSADOR TO LIBYA ALSO CHIPS IN

Another one who appeared in person to help is the Malaysian Ambassador to Libya, Dzulkepli Mohd Nor.

Though he was requested by the Foreign Ministry to help in the evacuation, Dzulkepli took it as his personal mission.

It was a baptism of fire for Dzulkepli too as he had to work under conditions that can be best described as chaotic.

"No matter what, I was happy to be able to help fellow Malaysians in time of need," he said.

AIR ASIA PILOT PROUD TO BE PART OF OPS PIRAMID

Meanwhile, Dinish Alwyn Prabakaran, who is AirAsia's pilot involved in 'Ops Pyramid', is also proud of the fact that he was able to help Malaysians in Egypt.

Piloting the plane involved in 'Ops Pyramid' is definitely a memorable experience for Dinish especially when it is the first time that an AirAsia plane has touched down in Egypt.

"Though there were some initial problem over flight permit and the landing rights because AirAsia has no flights to Cairo and Jeddah, the airline managed to iron them out and after that it was all plain sailing," said the pilot.

While the Malaysian students are back safe and sound, the Egyptians are back with their lives after successfully unseating President Hosni Mubarak who ruled Egypt for more than three decades through 'people power'.

The students want to go back to Egypt to finish their studies and the Egyptians want to see a new future for their country.

-- BERNAMA

Source: Bernama.
Link: http://www.bernama.com/bernama/v5/newsfeatures.php?id=565403.